2022 World Cup I England – Senegal (8th final) I Attention, this Senegal speaks English

Twenty years ago, France held no secrets for Senegal. Of the 23 players who were on Senegal’s list to compete in the 2002 World Cup, 20 played in France. A knowledge of the opponent who had not necessarily been unrelated to the feat achieved by the Lions of Teranga against the Blues, then reigning world champions (0-1). The starting point of a historic journey to the quarter-finals of this World Cup in Asia. Twenty years later, before playing their round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup against Senegal, England would be wrong not to take into account the lessons of the past.

Because it is she, from now on, who has no more secrets for the Senegalese. Of the 26 elements of the selection of Aliou Cissé, himself passed by Birmingham and Portsmouth during his career as a player, no less than ten play across the Channel: the goalkeepers Edouard Mendy (Chelsea) and Seny Dieng (QPR), the defender Kalidou Koulibaly (Chelsea), midfielders Idrissa Gueye (Everton), Nampalys Mendy (Leicester), Mamadou Loum (Reading), Cheikhou Kouyaté (Nottingham Forest), Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham), and forwards Iliman Ndiaye (Sheffield United) and Ismaila Sarr (Watford).

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The proportion is not as high as that of Senegalese playing in France in 2002, but it is nevertheless very significant. England is home to almost 40% of the Teranga Lions competing in this World Cup. Symbolically, the players from Senegal who play in France (6) are almost twice as numerous as those who roam the English courts: Alfred Gomis (Rennes), Formose Mendy (Amiens), Ismail Jakobs and Krépin Diatta (Monaco), Pape Gueye and Bamba Dieng (Marseille). A radical change from 2002.

The difference between clubs and selection

Knowing your opponent is a weapon that Senegal intends to use against England. “We actually discussed it with some of the players, we have a few executives from our team with whom we talk more oftenconfirmed the assistant coach Régis Bogaert, present Saturday at a press conference in the absence of Aliou Cissé, sick. The knowledge of the players, they have it. What is necessary is to look at the difference between what English players do in club and in selection. We had discussions, this allowed us to identify certain characteristics in some.”

Kalidou Koulibaly after his goal in the match between Ecuador and Senegal, in the World Cup, November 29, 2022

Credit: Getty Images

One more reason to be wary of Senegal for Gareth Southgate and his men. They already had some. The 2021 African champions arrived in Qatar uninhibited after winning the first continental trophy in their history. They were able to recover from the withdrawal of their leader, Sadio Mané, another great connoisseur of English football with eight seasons spent in the Premier League, at Southampton then at Liverpool. Coming out of the group stage without the one who now wears the colors of Bayern Munich says enough about the character and collective resources of the Teranga Lions.

The England coach is well aware of this. And the status of his team only makes this meeting more tricky for the finalist of the last Euro, in search of a first international title since 1966. “I saw Senegal play against Iran (in a friendly) in Viennahe revealed at a press conference on Friday. I observed them well. From now on we will study their matches. We know some players who play in major leagues and in England. We know we will be favourites, we have to accept it, but we play a very dangerous team.”

“The press already sees a quarter between France and England”

Exactly. Between being dangerous and winning, there is a step that Senegal is still struggling to cross despite its title of African champion. Having so many players playing in England, and others in France, Spain or Italy, is not a new trend. “African teams have players who shine in the big clubs in Europe, and this observation does not date from today, they should have reached this level of performance beforesaid Philippe Troussier, former coach of South Africa in particular, in an interview with AFP. I want to say: it’s time. Africa is rather behind on its progress chart“.

Namplays Mendy with Senegal during the World Cup

Credit: Getty Images

For this reason, too, the Lions of Teranga will approach this round of 16 against England. And the firm intention to devour everything in their path. Regardless of the size of the prey. And whatever people think. “We have seen what is said on the networks and othersexplained Amiens defender Formose Mendy. The French press already sees a quarter between France and England. But we know how to build on our strengths. It is a source of motivation and the Senegal team sublimates itself when it is underestimated. Whatever happens in this match, people will know that we are real Lions and that we are sons of Senegal.”

England has been warned. Even if it will have to compose without Mané and Gueye, suspended, Senegal has many arguments to inflict a new disappointment on these Three Lions that they know so well. “Beating England would be a very big momentconfirmed Régis Bogaert. I imagine it would be equivalent to winning against France in 2002. England are a Top 5 team, to beat a team of this level is to show the progress we have been able to make. ” Times have changed since 2002. But the desire to enter the legend is stronger than ever for the Lions of Teranga.

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